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Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Scarlet Bugler (Penstemon centranthifolius) is a native perennial herb that grows in northern, southern and central California. It has many straight, hairless, erect branches which may exceed one meter in maximum height. The thick, untoothed leaves may be up to 10 centimeters long and are arranged oppositely, with some pairs fused together about the stem. The top of the stem is occupied by a long inflorescence bearing narrow tubular flowers with small projecting lobes at the lips, the longest flowers 3 centimeters long. The flowers are bright red to orange-red and hairless all over, including the staminode.This perennial has gorgeous red flowers that are an absolute favorite with hummingbirds and when in bloom these plants are rarely seen without a hummingbird flitting about from blossom to blossom. It looks great in rock gardens and is very cold tolerant.

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

2 - 4 ft Tall
1 ft Wide

Dormancy

Summer Deciduous

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Color

Red

Flowering season

Spring, Summer

Special uses

Containers, Deer resistant

Sun

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Water

Low

Summer irrigation

Max 2x / month once established

Ease of care

Moderate

Cold tolerance

Tolerates cold to 15° F

Soil drainage

Fast, Medium, Slow

Soil description

Tolerates clay.
Soil PH: 6.0 - 8.0

Propagation

For propagating by seed: No treatment.

Site type

Openings in chaparral, slight slopes and flats, open areas in woodlands, seasonally moist meadows up to 6, 500 ft.

Plant communities

Chaparral, Oak Woodland

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Many companion plants including: Chamise (Adenostema fasciculatum), Manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.), Ceanothus species, Bush Poppy (Dendromecon rigida), Sugarbush (Rhus ovata), Hollyleaf Cherry (Prunus ilicifolia), Bladderpod (Peritoma arborea), Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus spp.), Sages (Salvia spp.), California fuchsia (Epilobium canum), Yucca (Hesperoyucca spp. and Yucca spp.), succulents such as Dudleya spp., and various cactus species

Scarlet Bugler

Penstemon centranthifolius
Hummingbirds
Bees
Butterflies
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Pollinators supported

4 confirmed and 240 likely

  • Likely

  • Confirmed

Anna's Hummingbird

Calypte anna

Grinnell's Summer Mason Bee

Hoplitis grinnelli

Prolonged Summer Mason Bee

Hoplitis producta

Papilio eurymedon

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Onions

Allium cepa

Asparagus

Asparagus officinalis

Canola

Brassica napus

Peppers

Capsicum annuum

Common names:
Scarlet Bugler

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